De La Salle is in midseason form in opener

BERKELEY -- With the spotlight shining brightly on the program, De La Salle High's football team didn't disappoint in its season opener Friday night.

Playing in their first game since the release of "When the Game Stands Tall," a Hollywood movie focused on the program and legendary former head coach Bob Ladouceur, the Spartans dominated Jesuit-Carmichael 63-0 at Cal's Memorial Stadium.

De La Salle was sharp in all facets of the game, but especially special teams and defense.

"They were awesome tonight," De La Salle coach Justin Alumbaugh said. "We had turnovers, they weren't getting many (first downs), and we were working with a short field all night. Our special teams and defense really made this game for us."

Two big special teams plays set the tone early for the Spartans, who were without two injured co-captains -- quarterback Anthony Sweeney and linebacker Simba Short.

Jevari Anderson returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, then the Spartans blocked a punt on Jesuit's first possession.

Chris Vanderklugt, Sweeny's fill-in, scored a play later on a 1-yard run, giving the Spartans a 14-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.

Later in the first quarter, Vanderklugt completed his first varsity pass for a 7-yard touchdown to tight end Sam Phillips and a 21-0 lead.

Interceptions by Cameron Lissarrague and Adam Mayer late in the second quarter led to two more scores and a 35-0 halftime lead.

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Nick Lopez added two long touchdown runs in the second half as the Spartans finished with 317 yards on the ground.

Jesuit had just 134 total yards, most of them coming in the second half.

Jesuit coach Marlon Blanton is a De La Salle graduate, runs the same offense as De La Salle and even coached Alumbaugh as a freshman. But his team never recovered from De La Salle's fast start, and the Spartans extended their unbeaten streak against Northern California competition to 251 games.

"It was weird, to be honest," Alumbaugh said of coaching opposite Blanton. "We've known each other for a really long time and he's a great coach. They're better than what tonight showed. A couple things snowballed. ... They'll be fine."

The game, televised by ESPN2, had been scheduled for Levi's Stadium, but issues with the facility's turf forced the event to be moved to Cal. De La Salle will play James Logan at the 49ers' new stadium in Santa Clara on Oct. 11.